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The 35th Government of Israel was sworn in during a special ceremony in the Knesset plenum, following more than a year of political deadlock, with three consecutive election cycles.
The State of Israel's 35th government was sworn in today (Sunday, 17 May 2020) during a special ceremony in the Knesset plenum, following more than a year of political deadlock, with three consecutive election cycles. The vote of confidence in the new government passed with 73 in favor and 46 against.
The special sitting was held in the presence of President Reuven Rivlin and Supreme Court President Esther Hayut.
According to the coalition agreement between the Likud and Blue and White parliamentary groups, MK Netanyahu will serve as prime minister for the first 18 months of the government's tenure, while MK Gantz will serve as alternate prime minister and defense minister, and then assume the premiership for the second half of the government's term, while MK Netanyahu will serve as alternate prime minister. PM Netanyahu said the date for MK Gantz assuming the premiership has been set for November 17, 2021.
President
Reuven Rivlin - President
Government Ministers
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Benjamin Gantz
Minister for Cyber and National Digital Matters David Amsalem
Minister for Social Equality and Minorities Meirav Cohen
Minister for the Strengthening of Communities Orly Levi-Abekasis
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Alon Schuster
Minister of Communications Yoaz Hendel
Minister of Construction and Housing Yakov Litzman
Minister of Culture and Sport Yehiel Tropper
Minister in the Ministry of Defense Michael Biton
Minister of Diaspora Affairs Omer Yankelevitch
Minister of Education Yoav Gallant
Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz
Minister of Environmental Protection Gila Gamliel
Minister of Finance Israel Katz
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabi Ashkenazi
Minister of Health Yuli-Yoel Edelstein
Minister of Higher Education and Water Resources Zeev Elkin
Minister of Immigration and Absorption Penina Tamanu
Minister of Intelligence Eli Cohen
Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Rafael Peretz
Minister of Justice Avi Nissenkorn
Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Itzik Shmuli
Minister of Public Security Amir Ohana
Minister of Regional Cooperation Gilad Erdan
Minister of Religious Affairs Yaakov Avitan
Minister of Science and Technology Izhar Shay
Minister of Settlement Tzipi Hotovely
Minister of Strategic Affairs Orit Farkash-Hacohen
Minister of the Economy Amir Peretz
Minister of the Interior Aryeh Machluf Deri
Minister of Tourism Asaf Zamir
Minister of Transportation Miri Regev
Minister Without Portfolio Tzachi Hanegbi
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv – Yafo, joins dozens of C-40 Mayors in calling for a healthy, equitable and sustainable economic recovery to COVID-19 pandemic.
Statement endorsed by mayors of Los Angeles, Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Bogotá, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Curitiba, Freetown, Hong Kong, Houston, Lima, Lisbon, London,
Medellín, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New York City, Oslo, Portland, Quezon City, Rotterdam, Salvador, São Paulo, San Francisco, Santiago, Seattle,
Seoul, Sydney, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Vancouver
Mayor of Tel Aviv - Yafo, Ron Huldai joined fellow leaders from many of the world’s most powerful cities on Thursday May 7, to warn that the recovery from COVID-19 “should not be
a return to ‘business as usual’ - because that is a world on track for 3°C or more of over- heating.”
The C40 group of cities released a statement of principles, signed by Mayor Huldai, to shape the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Mayors, representing more than 750 million people
worldwide, pledge, “to build a better, more sustainable and fairer society out of the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.”
The principles were adopted in the first meeting of C40’s Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, supported by C40 Chair, Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and have been
endorsed by scores of city leaders from around the world, including Los Angeles, Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Bogotá, Boston, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Curitiba, Freetown, Hong Kong,
Houston, Lima, Lisbon, London, Medellín, Melbourne, Mexico City, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, New York City, Oslo, Portland, Quezon City, Rotterdam, Salvador, São Paulo, San
Francisco, Santiago, Seattle, Seoul, Sydney, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Vancouver.
Today’s announcement comes after a series of virtual meetings attended by more than 40 mayors, demonstrating how they are working together globally to overcome both the
coronavirus and climate change crises.
Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 Board President and Mayor of New York City, 2002-2013 said: “This task force is committed to helping city leaders as they work on economic recovery in
ways that lead us forward into the future, not back into the past. The principles we’ve outlined will guide our efforts to develop a new normal – one that is greener, healthier, and
more prosperous for everyone.”
Statement of Principles:
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world’s cities. It is not just a global health crisis, but a social and economic crisis, the effects of which will be felt for years to
come. In many ways it is also an urban phenomenon, with its roots in environmental destruction and humanity’s relationship with nature.
As mayors, we are committed to supporting the residents of our cities and protecting their health, based on the guidance of expert advice. As members of C40 Cities, we are sharing
what we have learned over the past months, and the knowledge we have gained in responding to other crises - public health, economic and environmental.
It is clear that the harm caused by COVID-19 has not been equitable. The most vulnerable and the most disadvantaged are being hurt the most by both the health and economic
impacts of COVID-19. It is also clear that the world was not fully prepared for this crisis, despite lessons learned from SARS, MERS, Ebola and other recent public health and climate
emergencies. This is, in part, a consequence of the undermining of international mechanisms and institutions which were built to bring peace and prosperity to all. It is, in
part, a consequence of ignoring science-based knowledge.
We, as leaders of major cities across the globe, are clear that our ambition should not be a return to ‘normal’ – our goal is to build a better, more sustainable, more resilient and fairer
society out of the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Therefore, our joint strategy to support the recovery of our cities and their residents from COVID-19 will be governed by these
principles:
1. The recovery should not be a return to ‘business as usual’ - because that is a world on track for 3°C or more of over-heating;
2. The recovery, above all, must be guided by an adherence to public health and scientific expertise, in order to assure the safety of those who live in our cities;
3. Excellent public services, public investment and increased community resilience will form the most effective basis for the recovery;
4. The recovery must address issues of equity that have been laid bare by the impact of the crisis – for example, workers who are now recognised as essential should be
celebrated and compensated accordingly and policies must support people living in informal settlements;
5. The recovery must improve the resilience of our cities and communities. Therefore, investments should be made to protect against future threats – including the climate
crisis – and to support those people impacted by climate and health risks.
6. Climate action can help accelerate economic recovery and enhance social equity, through the use of new technologies and the creation of new industries and new
jobs. These will drive wider benefits for our residents, workers, students, businesses and visitors
7. We commit to doing everything in our power and the power of our city governments to ensure that the recovery from COVID-19 is healthy, equitable and sustainable;
8. We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to ensure that national governments support both cities and the investments needed in cities, to
deliver an economic recovery that is healthy, equitable and sustainable;
9. We commit to using our collective voices and individual actions to ensure that international and regional institutions invest directly in cities to support a healthy,
equitable and sustainable recovery.
The full list of mayors to have formally endorsed the Statement of Principles are:
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv - Yafo
Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles
Kostas Bakoyannis, Mayor of Athens
Stephen Adler, Mayor of Austin
Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona
Claudia López, Mayor of Bogotá
Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of Boston
Horacio Rodríguez-Larreta, Chief of Government of Buenos Aires
Lori Lightfoot, Mayor of Chicago
Rafael Greca, Mayor of Curitiba
Yvonne Saki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown
KS Wong, Secretary for the Environment, Hong Kong, China
Sylvester Turner, Mayor of Houston
Fernando Medina, Mayor of Lisbon
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
Jorge Muñoz, Mayor of Lima
Daniel Quintero Calle, Mayor of Medellín
Sally Capp, Lord Mayor of Melbourne
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mayor of Mexico City
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan
Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal
LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans
Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City
Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor of Oslo
Ted Wheeler, Mayor of Portland
Josephina Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City
Ahmed Aboutaleb, Mayor of Rotterdam
Antônio Carlos Peixoto de Magalhães Neto, Mayor of Salvador
Bruno Covas, Mayor of São Paulo
London Breed, Mayor of San Francisco
Felipe Guevara, Governor of Santiago
Jenny Durkan, Mayor of Seattle
Park Won-soon, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Seoul
Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney
Kennedy Stewart, Mayor of Vancouver
About C40
Around the world, C40 Cities connects 96 of the world’s greatest cities to take bold climate action,
leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Representing 700+ million citizens
and one quarter of the global economy, mayors of the C40 cities are committed to delivering on the
most ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement at the local level, as well as to cleaning the air we
breathe. The current chair of C40 is Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti; and three-term Mayor of
New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible
by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
(CIFF), and Realdania.
To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website and C40 Knowledge Hub
or follow us on
and Linkedin
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- Written by Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry
Joint Prime Minister’s Office and Health Ministry Statement
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry)
The Cabinet, last night (Monday, 4 May 2020), approved a series of additional amendments to the emergency regulations that will allow the economy to return to activity in the shadow of the coronavirus. The amendments cancel restrictions on leaving one’s home except to places and activities that are prohibited in the regulations.
Following are the main points of “Emergency Regulations (New Coronavirus – Restriction of Activity)”:
* From yesterday (4 May 2020), additional businesses and activities will be allowed to open including: Libraries, all kinds of non-medical treatment on the human body, complementary medicine, hotels and guest houses, nature reserves, heritage sites, national parks, zoos and safaris. Activity at swimming pools will be permitted for competitive athletes and therapy.
* Malls, open-air markets and gyms will be allowed to open on 7 May 2020.
Mall operators will be required to meet the rules for maintaining public health and will sign an on-line form to this effect on the Economy and Industry Ministry website; the form will be passed on to the relevant local authority. Under these rules, an employee will be appointed responsible for carrying out activity to maintain public health at the mall. The entry of people to the mall – including mall employees – will be regulated so that at no time will there be more than one person per 20 square meters in the mall. A sign will be posted regarding the number of people permitted in the mall. Strict care will be taken to maintain two meters’ distance between people in the mall including in lines. Places for those waiting in line will be delineated; signs will be posted about maintaining distance. The rules of hygiene – including disinfection of surfaces – will be strictly maintained. Accessible stands with hand disinfectant will be placed in the mall. Sitting for the purpose of eating will not be permitted in the mall.
Retail markets will be allowed to open upon receiving a permit from the local authority and pursuant to the following conditions: The local authority will regulate the entry of people to the market, including workers and business owners, so that at no time will there be more than one person in the open area per 20 square meters of space. The local authority will set and implement a mechanism to limit the number of people in the market. A sign will be posted regarding the number of people permitted in the market. The local authority will take maximum care vis-à-vis maintaining two meters’ distance between people in the market including in lines, in order to prevent crowding. Places for those waiting in line will be delineated; signs will be posted about maintaining distance. The rules of hygiene – including disinfection of surfaces – will be strictly maintained. Accessible stands with hand disinfectant will be placed in the market. The authority will not allow sitting for the purpose of eating in the market will not permit the entry of people not wearing masks to the market.
* Those operating libraries will be required to observe additional conditions including the placing of partitions at the borrowing desk to prevent the transfer of respiratory droplets and the separation of books that have been returned to the library for three days.
* Those operating stores and businesses for non-medical treatment will be allowed to bring in customers according to the ratio of one customer per 15 square meters of space open to customers, or two people per cash register, whichever is higher.
* Going to beaches is prohibited except for sport activity in the sea.
* The restriction on praying more than 500 meters from the home or workplace is cancelled; the restriction of no more than 19 people for prayers in an open space remains in force.
* Circumcisions may be held with up to 19 people (as opposed to ten) in attendance.
* In public places and at workplaces, buildings of more than five stories may have up to 50% of the maximum allowed occupancy in elevators, thus allowing more than two people in any given elevator.
* Mental health treatment is allowed without masks, provided a distance of three meters is maintained between care provider and care recipient.
* Alongside the existing restrictions on activity at mikvaot [plural] (up to three men at mikvaot for men and advance appointments at mikvaot for women), a person appointed by the operator will be responsible to see that the rules are maintained.
* Regarding restrictions in Muslim-majority communities, the emergency regulation barring stores and businesses from opening between 19:30 and 03:00 is extended until Sunday, 10 May 2020.
The foregoing amendments shall be valid until Monday, 18 May 2020.
Emergency Regulations (Restricted Zones):
The Cabinet approved extension of “Emergency Regulations (Restricted Zones)” until Tuesday, 2 June 2020. The relevant ministerial committee will be able to declare communities, or sections of communities, in which there have been coronavirus outbreaks, to be restricted zones.
Extension of the authorization of the Israel Security Agency (ISA) to assist in the national effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and the advancement of legislation:
The Cabinet decided to extend the validity of the authorization of the ISA to assist in the national effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus until Tuesday, 16 June 2020, or until completion of the legislative process and the entry into effect of the legislation. The decision will be submitted to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for approval.
The Health Ministry calls on the public to continue listening to the directives on physical distancing, wearing masks and maintaining hygiene, in order to ensure public health and continue the common struggle against the spread of the coronavirus.
Photo Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (archive). Photo: GPO/Amos Ben Gershom.
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
(Jerusalem, May 6, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International has announced the winners of the 2020 B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage: Branu Tegene and Danny Kushmaro of Channel 12 News and Haaretz correspondent Dina Kraft.
Tegene, a correspondent for Channel 12 news, and news anchor Kushmaro will receive the award in the broadcast media category in memory of Wolf and Hilda Matsdorf for a 5-part series entitled "Mefotzalim" (Split Up: The Story of the Ethiopian Jewish Community) that follows the lives of Jewish Ethiopians left behind after the community's mass immigration to Israel, members of their family in Israel and their reunion in Ethiopia (link here) . Kraft will receive the award for print media in memory of Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky for articles on Jewish communities in the United States and Great Britain (The Pittsburgh Playbook; How a Community Began to Heal ; The Status of Anti-Semitism in Contemporary America and Britain.)
B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Chairman Haim Katz and Director Alan Schneider noted that "Even in the trying times when Israel and Jewish communities around the world are focused on facing the medical, social and economic fallout of the coronavirus epidemic, efforts must continue to maintain and strengthen the relationship between Israel and Diaspora communities around the world. The B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem remains dedicated to that mission through the Award for Journalism and other significant programs that have been adapted to fit our new reality".
Since its establishment in 1992, the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism has recognized excellence in reporting on contemporary Diaspora Jewish communities and on the state of Israel-Diaspora relations in the Israeli print, broadcast and online media. The award is widely recognized as the most prestigious prize in the Israeli media industry for Diaspora reportage and was established to help strengthen the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. The award highlights the important contributions the media can make toward strengthening the relationship between Israel and world Jewry by encouraging quality reporting on Diaspora communities and Israel-Diaspora relations.
The distinguished members of the award jury are: Ya'akov Ahimeir, past editor and anchor, Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation and Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2016; Professor Yehudith Auerbach, School of Communication, Bar Ilan University; Professor Sergio DellaPergola, The Institute of Contemporary Jewry, Hebrew University; Sallai Meridor, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and former chairman of the Zionist Executive and Jewish Agency for Israel; Professor Gabriela Shalev, Higher Academic Council, Ono Academic College and former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations; journalist Yair Sheleg; Asher Weill, publisher and editor of “Ariel” The Israel Review of Arts and Letters (1981-2003).
The Awards are presented in memory of the late Wolf Matsdorf, editor of the World Center-Jerusalem’s journal “Leadership Briefing” and a journalist in Israel and Australia, and his wife Hilda, a pioneer in social work in both Australia and Israel, and in memory of Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky. The award is made possible through donations from the Matsdorf family and B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem board member Daniel Schydlowsky.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
Photo Courtesy: Channel 12 news (Branu Tegene and Danny Kushmaro) and Dina Kraft (Dina Kraft).
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- Written by Israel Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Defense Spokesperson’s Statement on Behalf of the Israel Institute for Biological Research
In the past two days, the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), has completed a groundbreaking scientific development, determining an antibody that neutralizes the corona virus (SARS-COV-2).
This scientific breakthrough has three key parameters:
The antibody is monoclonal, new and refined, and contains an exceptionally low proportion of harmful proteins
The institute has demonstrated the ability of the antibody to neutralize the corona virus
The antibody was specifically tested on the aggressive corona virus
Based on comprehensive scientific publications from around the globe, it appears that the IIBR is the first institution to achieve a scientific breakthrough that meets all three of the aforementioned parameters simultaneously. This is the result of the institute’s great experience and the unique capabilities of its scientists.
The IIBR is currently pursuing a patent for its development, after which it will contact international manufactures.
It should be emphasized that this scientific achievement has the potential to progress towards a treatment for corona patients, and that it is not a vaccine for wide use. This is an important milestone, which will be followed by a series of complex tests and a process of regulatory approvals. This being said, the scientists at the institute believe that the nature of this breakthrough could lead to a shortening of the process, which could span over several months.
https://iibr.gov.il/Pages/home.aspx
The Israel Institute for Biological Research History
The Israel Institute for Biological research (IIBR) was established in 1952 as a governmental research institute, founded by a group of scientists from the IDF Science Corps and from academic organizations.
IIBR is located in the small city of Ness Ziona.
Over the years the Institute has been engaged in R&D in the fields of biology, chemistry, and environmental sciences in order to provide the State of Israel with scientific response to chemical and biological threats.
Alongside this specialized activity, IIBR scientists contributed to the development of a vaccine for polio (1959); developed kits for the detection of explosive materials (1980); developed of a brand name drug against Sjogren syndrome (1984) marketed all over the world and is one of four brand name drugs developed in Israel.
In 1991, a governmental company, Life Sciences Research Israel (LSRI), was established alongside the Institute and serves as its business and marketing arm.
Since 1992 a unique, a laboratory for the nationwide diagnosis of diseases caused by the bacteria Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and Leptospira was established in IIBR. Since 1995, the Institute has operated as a government-affiliated unit that research all areas of defense against chemical and biological weapons, including the operation of national laboratories for detection and identification of such threats.
